Nepal Earthquake Relief - NGA

$4,241
of $4,000 goal

My name is Aaron Bergman and I am a PGA member and co-founder of Golf in Schools USA, a golf enrichment program for school-aged students serving over 100 schools in Texas and Illinois. In 2005 I spent six months in the Kingdom of Bhutan as a golf ambassador. While working in Bhutan I was invited by the Nepal Golf Association to visit the country and help inititate golf learning programs. Since that first trip in October of 2005, I have taught Nepal's national team, helped establish a national junior program, and also taught for several years their association's top player, Shivaram Shrestha (Shiv lived with me in Thailand and has also visited me several times in the U.S.)

The country is a beautiful place, made even more special by its people. Nepalese are caring, humble and gracious. My time spent there has had a tremendous impact on my life.

Originally I set up this fund to help my friend Shivaram and his family, as they try to move forward in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquakes. After I told Shivaram about the fund, he was insistent there were many others who could benefit from the dontations. He was adamant the money serve a larger group.

To honor his wishes, the funds will be given to members of the Nepal Golf Association and be distributed locally to the rebuilding efforts. Leaders of the NGA are extremely influential in Kathmandu, and have a great pulse on what type of help and action will be most needed. The money from the relief fund will be used for food, shelter and helping families put their lives back together after this terrible disaster. The amount of damage from the earthquakes and the effect on the lives of the local people cannot be overstated.

People are living in make-shift tents on the golf course (current count is over 300 in the fairways) and throughout the Kathmandu Valley. A fairway is a great place for a ball to be, but it's no place for families to live. A small donation can go along way, and I know the beneficiaries in Nepal would be forever grateful for your kindness.

WE DID IT! In less than a week we topped our goal of $4,000 to help the Nepal earthquake victims. Thank you to everyone who donated, spread the word, shared and liked posts, wrote articles, helped with interviews, and sent well wishes. Your efforts have helped wonderful people in a time of great tragedy. Again, thank you so much for your support.

Aaron Bergman has a conversation with Sumod Bastakoti, a passionate Nepali who is on the front lines of the relief effort. Sumod describes the damage of the earthquake, its toll on the people, and the efforts that are being taken to save lives.